Three-Alarm Fire Displaces 55 at New Haven's Winthrop Terrace
Firefighters rescue 11 from five-story building as blaze tears through upper floors in snowy conditions
Last updatedFebruary 26, 2026
New Haven Fire Headquarters
New Haven Fire Displaces 55 Residents on Chapel Street
A three-alarm fire at the Winthrop Terrace Apartments at 1523 Chapel Street in New Haven displaced at least 55 residents on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Firefighters rescued 11 people from the century-old, five-story building, including three who were seen hanging from upper-floor windows, according to fire officials.
The fire broke out at approximately 11:22 a.m. on the third floor and quickly spread to the fourth and fifth floors of the building. Firefighters brought the blaze under control by 12:37 p.m. after an intensive response that drew crews from across the city, fire officials said. No residents sustained serious injuries during the evacuation. One firefighter was injured in a fall on ice and snow outside the building and was treated and released from the hospital.
Rescue Operation and New Haven Fire Response
About 55 firefighters responded to the scene, led by Acting Fire Chief Daniel Coughlin and Acting Assistant Chief Greg Carroll. Crews coordinated both interior rescues through the building's stairwells and exterior operations on snow-covered terrain. Firefighters used fire escapes and a 50-foot ground ladder to reach trapped residents on the upper floors.
Snow-covered ground hindered ladder placement around the building, and the center staircase layout and lack of internal fire suppression systems complicated the interior operation, firefighters said. The building, located near the corner of Chapel Street and Winthrop Avenue, has no sprinkler system, a common feature in older residential structures built before modern fire codes.
American Medical Response paramedics evaluated 22 people at the scene for injuries. Despite the challenges posed by the building's layout and winter weather, all occupants were evacuated safely. Acting Fire Chief Coughlin praised the firefighting effort, crediting crews with preventing a far worse outcome given the difficult conditions.
12 Apartments Damaged, 55 New Haven Residents Relocated
Fire, smoke, and water damaged 12 apartments across the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the 45-unit building. The city moved quickly to secure emergency housing, relocating 55 displaced residents to 26 rooms at the La Quinta hotel on Long Wharf, city officials said. Other tenants in the building who were not displaced arranged to stay with family or personal contacts.
The city's Livable City Initiative and the American Red Cross assisted with displacement support, emergency supplies, and services for affected families in the hours after the fire.
The building is managed by Mandy Management, a private landlord that operates properties across the New Haven area. CEO Yudi Gurevitch told reporters the company's focus was on supporting affected residents. Mandy Management has not announced plans for building repairs or provided a timeline for when displaced residents might be able to return to their apartments.
Fire Cause Under Investigation in New Haven
The New Haven Fire Marshal's Office launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. No official determination has been made. One resident told reporters the fire appeared to start when someone left a stove running after exiting their apartment, though investigators have not confirmed this account.
No timeline has been provided for preliminary findings. The building's age and absence of internal fire suppression systems were noted by firefighters as factors that complicated the response, according to fire officials.
The fire drew widespread attention, reflecting the scale of the incident in one of New Haven's densely populated downtown neighborhoods. Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact the New Haven Fire Marshal's Office.
